All services are free and confidential to all victims and their children.
24-Hour Crisis Hotline
Staff and trained volunteers offer immediate crisis support, assistance, and referrals to victims of abuse using our dedicated crisis line. (TTY for the hearing impaired & Spanish and other language translation services are available). Victims may call the 24-hour crisis line, 706-376-7111, or toll-free 1-800-334-2836. Calls are confidential.
Heart Haven Emergency Shelter
Services are provided in shelter for victims of domestic violence and dependent children who must seek safety from their abusers while they develop plans to lead violence free lives. While at the shelter the residents may participate in various training and self-help programs. All clients develop their own Individual Program Plan based on their needs and goals. The child advocate provides a program specifically for children.
Community-Based Service (Outreach)
Legal Advocacy
Legal advocates provide information about the legal system and assist victims in obtaining Temporary Protective Orders (TPO), accompany the victim to the court hearing, and assists the victim in navigating the judicial system in all three counties. Advocates also help eligible victims apply for Victim’s Compensation, pursue criminal warrants through the magistrate court, and secure legal counsel or representation for various legal matters.
Family /Individual Services
Advocates provide individualized, culturally responsive, flexible, and relative services for families and individuals, reducing risk factors that threaten safety and increase access and utilization of community resources. Services include parent education, family assessments, case management/service coordination, life skills training, job training, and economic development, transportation, enrichment activities, emergency child care, parent-child activities, and senior outreach services for those who do not need shelter services. Additionally, individual and family therapy is provided by licensed therapists.
Nurturing Parenting Program
The Nurturing Parenting Program is a family-centered, trauma-informed initiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglecting parenting and childrearing practices. During Nurturing Parenting classes parents will learn nonviolent parenting strategies focusing on the development of empathy, self-worth, self-awareness, empowerment, discipline with dignity, appropriate family roles, and age-appropriate expectations of children’s development. Our instructional model is offered to individuals and couples in the family’s home. It can also be offered in the instructor’s office if there is a need.
Hispanic Outreach
The Hispanic Outreach Program offers domestic violence support and education through Spanish literature, presentations, youth groups, community involvement, and awareness campaigns. We also partner with various agencies from the community to be an asset in bridging the cultural gap.
El programa de alcance hispano fue disefiado para ayudar a la comunidad hispana. Ofrecer apoyo y educaci6n sobre violencia domestica a traves de literatura en espafiol, presentaciones, participaci6n comunitaria y campafias de concientizaci6n. Al asociarse con varias agendas de la comunidad para ayudar a cerrar la brecha cultural.
Adults with Seniority Senior Outreach
Our senior outreach program offers services that are targeted to the needs of those that experience domestic violence later in life and to help them navigate the services and resources they need to access them. We offer individual and group support services.
- Bring awareness of DV later in life.
- Be that voice for the seniors who don’t have a voice.
- Support to seniors affected by later in life DV.
- Provide needed resources.
- Educate Community about later in life DV.
- Help end DV later in life.
- Every year, an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological, and other forms of abuse and neglect.
- 1 out of every 14 cases of elder abuse is reported to authorities.
- Victims of abuse later in life are typically 50 years of age and older and are primarily women.
- In approximately 90% of cases, perpetrators of abuse in later in life are spouses or family members.
- Perpetrators can be spouses, partners, adult children and grandchildren, other family members, caregivers or other individuals with ongoing, lasting relationships with the victim
June 15- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Senior Outreach Line: (706) 371-5323
Report Elder Abuse: 1-866-55AGING ( +1 866-552-4464) * press “3”
Individual and Family Therapy
Trauma-informed therapy is provided to help victims of domestic violence and their children understand the effects of trauma, reclaim their lives, and facilitate healing.
Therapy is provided on-site by licensed therapists/ counselors.
Lift Up to Economic Empowerment
The Job Ready Program collaborates with victims in entering the workforce by writing functional resumes that highlight skills and/or experience. This program also assists with the job search by helping to set up accounts with job search sites, fill out applications, and prepare for interviews with hiring managers. This program provides information for and assists victims who are interested in getting their General Education Degree and/or taking college courses which can lead to a two or four-year degree. The goal of the Job Ready Program is to assist and support victims in becoming economically sufficient.
Teen Program
The 4Teen Program promotes healthy and respectful relationships, healthy choices, and safety. Groups are focused on the healthy expression of feelings, self-esteem issues, bullying, dating violence, and domestic violence prevention. Groups are provided in the schools in all three counties. Also, the program holds an annual Teen Summit and provides outreach and education to the community.
24-hour Teen Text Line
We offer free and confidential help for teens. Call or text 706-371-2723.
Youth Activities
Weekly educational groups are offered for children and teenagers for residential & non-residential youth to promote healthy and respectful relationships, healthy choices, and safety. In addition, mentoring and advocacy are available. An Adventure Week is held each June. We also provide Hispanic outreach services for children and teens.
School-based educational groups are provided focusing on youth empowerment.
Education/Support Groups
We offer weekly groups for sheltered and non-sheltered clients that provide a safe place for victims to learn, grow, develop skills, and are support and encouragement to help live violence-free lives. These groups are held in both Elbert and Hart counties. Call for more information.
Children’s Activities
Weekly support groups are offered for the children of NEGACDV for both residential and non-residential clients. Groups are designed to educate children about the healthy expression of feelings, self esteem issues, bullying, and domestic violence prevention. In addition, mentoring, advocacy, life skills, and activities are provided for each child and family as needed. A summer camp is also provided each year for the children of NEGACDV. Parent/Child Activities and Enrichment Activities are offered throughout the year as well. These gatherings help to increase positive interactions within the family and their community while building confidence and resilience within each individual.
NEGACDV also offers childcare for children while parents are receiving services from one of our advocates. This can take place at our office, within the client’s home, and/or different locations throughout our community as needed. During these childcare sessions, age-appropriate educational information and activities are provided for the children while their parents/guardians are receiving the help they need as well.
Community Education
Our agency offers training and education to schools, churches, civic organizations, and other agencies requesting information about domestic violence and our services. Through the educational opportunities, Child, Youth, and Teen Advocates work closely with the local school systems to teach the children proper techniques on bullying prevention with a curriculum called Kid Power (KP). KP helps children develop power skills that help them build confidence and develop healthy boundaries. Those same advocates also work with small groups of Children/Teens as well as individuals in a program called A Window Between Worlds (AWBW). AWBW is trauma-informed care and art workshops which allows the children/teens to express themselves through guided art sessions.